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Can you make money selling WordPress plugins?
Not only can you make money selling WordPress plugins, but you can make great money selling WordPress plugins!
After all, plugins are one of the very foundations of the WordPress ecosystem.
Plugins allow even the non-coder to implement various features and functionality to their WordPress website without having to write a single line of code themselves.
Most plugins also have the support from their developers as well as updates. Updates are very important to WordPress, not only for themes, but for plugins as well.
In fact, I would steer clear of any plugin that’s not updated on a regular basis.
There are some plugins you may find on WordPress.org that look great and can fit the need you’re looking for.
However, when you check, you will find that the plugin hasn’t been updated in over 3 years etc.
I would definitely avoid these plugins like the plague because they’re the types of plugins that can attract hackers.
Do I need to know how to code to make money selling WordPress plugins?
You do not need to know how to code to make money selling WordPress plugins. WordPress not only has great developers creating awesome themes, but they also have great developers creating thousands of great plugins as well.
The good news is, you do not need to know how to code or be a developer to sell these great WordPress plugins.
As with WordPress themes, many developers also have affiliate programs.
In fact, you will find that plugin affiliate programs pay very good commissions to those WordPress enthusiasts who promote them.
Have I said, you do not need to know how to write a single line of code in order to sell a WordPress plugin either? You simply join one of your favorite plugins’ affiliate programs.
Then get your affiliate codes, links, banners etc and embed them into your website or blog.
The plugin developer will do all the rest and you can simply get paid for promoting a plugin that has served you well.
How to make money making WordPress plugins.
If you are a developer or you know how to code in PHP and are familiar with creating a plugin etc. then you can create a plugin that serves a need or function in WordPress that you think is valuable.
You can then offer this plugin either from your own website or through WordPress.org, or both.
However, you should note that WordPress.org only allows plugins and themes that are free to all WordPress users.
WordPress is, after all, open source and was created as a more egalitarian way for everyone to have a website without being a developer.
Don’t worry. You can still make money, even with a free plugin.
How?
If you look on WordPress.org, you’ll see that most plugins, if not all, either have a pro or a premium version of that very same free plugin.
Therefore, you would need to make a free version of your plugin and then create added or advanced features that are only available through the paid, pro or premium versions of that very same free WordPress plugin that you’ve created.
As I’ve mentioned above for non-coders, as a developer you can actually create your own affiliate program for non-coders and WordPress enthusiasts to promote your plugin on their WordPress websites and blogs.
You would then pay them a commission for every sale generated through their affiliate links.
This is a very common practice in the WordPress community. It’s also a great way to get your plugin out there, expose it to the wider WordPress ecosystem and not have to pay for any advertising up front.
By creating software like a plugin, it’s much easier to scale for little to no cost as well. That’s why affiliate commissions tend to be much more generous for software than they are for physical products.
Where can you sell WordPress plugins?
As I’ve said above, you can sell WordPress plugins either through WordPress.org or through your own website or both.
You can also create an affiliate program and have others sell your WordPress plugin for you.
If you are not a developer but want to sell WordPress plugins, the best way you can do this is through your own website or even through social media channels where allowed.
Is selling WordPress plugins profitable?
Selling WordPress plugins is extremely profitable. After all, if you are a developer, the up front cost is basically your time and writing code and designing.
You may also need to hire other developers or graphic artists for some other tasks like writing javascript functions, interface designs, etc.
But once you’ve created that plugin, then it’s just a matter of scaling it and offering various premium versions of that same plugin.
Once the software is written, then it’s just a matter of scale since theoretically there can be an infinite number of downloads, right?
Make money with WordPress plugins, summary.
To summarize, yes, you can make money with WordPress plugins.
If you are a developer, you can actually create or press plugins. Then you can:
- Sell them on your own website.
- Offer a free version of your plug-in so you can list it on WordPress.org, then offer a pro or premium version that has several advanced features and upgrades.
- Offer an affiliate program so that other WordPress enthusiasts can offer your plugin on their website or blog.
If you are not a developer, fear or not, you too can make money with WordPress plugins.
- First, look at your favorite WordPress plugins, then find out if they have an affiliate program you can join in order to promote them.
- Check out other plugins that look interesting and useful for other WordPress website owners. Learn about the plugin. Then find out if the plugin’s developer has an affiliate program you can join.
- Promote your favorite plugins on your WordPress website or blog. You will earn a commission for every sale that comes through your link to the developers website.
As you can see, both developers and non-developer WordPress enthusiasts can make money with WordPress plugins.
